1) Trusting a look-alike website

Scammers copy logos, fonts, and product pages.
Fix: Check the exact domain, company name, physical address, and a phone number that works. Read recent reviews from multiple sources. If support won’t speak on the phone, walk away.

2) Chasing prices that sit below spot

If the list price is below live spot or far under market premiums, it’s bait. You’ll face upsells or vanish-on-payment fraud.
Fix: Compare the total landed cost: item price + premium + shipping + insurance + taxes. If it looks unreal, it is.

3) Falling for bait-and-switch pricing

Some sites show a low “cash” price, then add surprise fees or pressure you into a different product at checkout.
Fix: Ask for a written quote that includes product, purity, weight, unit price, total, payment method, shipping, and insurance. No extras later.

4) Paying in ways you can’t reverse

Wires to personal accounts, crypto to unknown wallets, and gift cards are favorite scam rails.
Fix: Pay the business, not an individual. Use bank transfer to the company account or a card with buyer protections. For larger professional exports, use standard trade terms and insured couriers.

5) Skipping verification and documentation

No assay card, no serials, no bar list, no invoice details—that’s a hard pass.
Fix: Require a clean pack: invoice, assay report or card, serial-numbered bar list for cast bars, certificate of origin where applicable, insurance and airway bill for shipments. If you want independent testing, use Lab Testing and, if needed, third-party checks via Refining.

6) Buying odd sizes that are hard to resell

Random weights and obscure brands can be cheap today and expensive to sell later.
Fix: Stick to liquid units: 1 oz coins, 100 g, 250 g, and 1 kg bars. Ask dealers for their current buyback spread on each unit.

7) Ignoring the seller’s buyback and returns

Many sites sell but refuse to buy back or impose long delays.
Fix: Confirm buyback terms in writing: how they price, how they verify, and how quickly they pay. Keep every document.

8) Letting shipping and insurance become an afterthought

Uninsured or under-insured parcels are a silent risk.
Fix: Use tracked, fully insured shipping with tamper-evident packaging. Get the policy number. Inspect on arrival and film the unboxing for large orders.

9) Confusing collectibles with bullion

Numismatic coins carry big premiums and different risks.
Fix: If your goal is weight exposure, buy bullion. If you like collectibles, treat them as a separate hobby budget.

10) Assuming “no KYC” means easier and safer

Legitimate sellers follow compliance rules. If a site promises big orders with no paperwork, be careful.
Fix: Expect normal KYC for larger purchases and exports. Compliance protects both sides and speeds resale.

Fast red-flag checklist

How Komoa Mine keeps this clean

• Clear, written quotes with all costs upfront.
• Standard units for liquidity: 1 oz, 100 g, 250 g, 1 kg.
• Verification support through Lab Testing and settlement options via Refining.
• Insured export and a tidy document pack for customs and future resale.
• Browse current products in the Shop or talk to sales on Contact.

FAQ

How do I spot a fake gold website quickly
Check the domain letter for letter, call the number, and ask for a sample invoice that shows serials and shipping insurance. Scammers avoid specifics.

Is it safe to pay with crypto for gold
Only if you already trust the counterparty and have written trade terms. For first-time orders, prefer a traceable company bank transfer or a card with protections.

What price checks should I do before buying
Confirm live spot, typical premiums for your unit size, and the total landed cost. Ask for the dealer’s current buyback spread on the same product.

The post Top 10 Mistakes When Buying Gold Online (And How to Avoid Them) first appeared on Komoa Mine.

The core idea

• Gold is priced globally in USD.
• If the USD strengthens, each dollar buys more of everything, including gold. That puts downward pressure on the USD gold quote.
• If the USD weakens, the USD gold quote often rises as investors look for a store of value.
• Your local-currency result can differ from the USD chart. Always check both.

Quick scenarios

Why this happens

Two levers matter most:

1. Real yields. When inflation-adjusted yields rise, some investors prefer interest-bearing assets. When real yields fall, gold looks better.
2. Safe haven demand. In market stress, capital often moves into the dollar and into gold. The timing is messy, which is why you plan rather than guess.

How currency hits your outcome

Think in pairs: USD vs your home currency.

• If the USD rises 10 percent and gold in USD is flat, your gold priced in EUR or UGX likely falls in local terms.
• If the USD falls and gold rises in USD, you can get a double boost in local currency.
• If you earn and spend in different currencies, pick a “base” for decisions and track performance in that base.

A practical, step-by-step plan

1) Choose your base currency
Decide whether you judge results in USD or your local currency. Stick with it.

2) Buy in tranches, not all at once
Split an order into several dates. This reduces regret if the dollar jumps after your first fill.

3) Match unit sizes to your exit plan

• Small and mid buyers: 1 oz coins and 100 g bars.
• Larger allocations: 250 g and 1 kg bars for lower premiums.
  This matters more when FX moves make you rethink timing. Flexible units help.

4) Set currency “guardrails”
Pick simple triggers such as: “If the dollar strengthens by X percent, add a tranche,” or “If it weakens by Y percent, pause and reassess.”

5) Consider a simple hedge when size is large
If your order is big and the timeline is fixed, speak to your bank about a plain FX forward to lock the currency leg. Keep it simple and sized to the invoice.

6) Keep documents tight
When you sell or move metal across borders, clean paperwork gets you better bids:
invoice, assay, certificate of origin where applicable, insurance, airway bill, and for bars a serial-numbered bar list.

Common mistakes

• Watching only the USD chart and ignoring your local currency.
• Buying odd bar sizes that are hard to resell when FX moves against you.
• Chasing short spikes. Let your tranche plan do the work.
• Skipping verification. If a large bar needs an assay at resale, plan it now.

Signals worth watching

• Dollar index (DXY) for a quick read on USD strength.
• Real yields via inflation-adjusted government bond yields.
• Central bank policy and risk events that push safe-haven flows.

Example playbooks

Importer paying in euros

• Base in EUR.
• Stagger buys over 4 weeks.
• If USD jumps and spot dips, bring forward one tranche.
• Hold a mix of 100 g and 250 g bars for flexible resale.

UGX earner with USD invoices

• Keep a small USD cash buffer for invoices.
• Add monthly using 1 oz coins and a 100 g bar when USD is strong.
• Review every quarter; increase position when USD momentum slows.

Family office sizing a core position

• Lock part of the currency with your bank if delivery is fixed.
• Take the core in 1 kg bars, keep 10–20 percent in 100–250 g to sell in slices.
• Rebalance twice a year between gold, cash, and other assets.

How Komoa Mine helps

• 22K and 24K with a 100 g minimum.
• Insured export to approved destinations, with a clear document pack.
• Verification support at your nominated refinery when required.
• Straight answers on bar sizes and timelines so currency risk is manageable.

Next steps

• Products: /shop/
• Testing and assay: /lab-testing/
• Refining and documentation: /service/refining/
• Talk to sales: /contact-us/

The post Gold and the US Dollar: How Currency Movements Affect Your Investment first appeared on Komoa Mine.

The short version

• 24K is the purest. It’s the standard for investment bars and most investment coins.
• 23K sits between jewelry and investment. Good where high purity matters but you still want some hardness.
• 22K is common in jewelry because it’s tougher than 24K. Some famous investment coins are 22K yet still contain 1 troy ounce of pure gold by adding a small alloy to reach a higher gross weight.

Karats at a glance

The math: Karat fraction = K/24. Example: 22K = 22/24 = 0.916667.

How each is used

24K (investment grade)

• Typical form: bars and many investment coins.
• Why buyers choose it: maximum purity, easiest to price against spot, favored for long-term vaulting and international transfers.
• Handling: soft and malleable, so protect it from scratches.

23K (high-purity jewelry and niche investment)

• Typical form: select jewelry and regional bullion.
• Why buyers choose it: very high purity with a little more hardness than 24K.
• Handling: still soft; treat like 24K for storage.

22K (jewelry and some coins)

• Typical form: jewelry, bangles, and several world coins.
• Why buyers choose it: better scratch resistance than 24K with high gold content.
• Important note: some 22K coins are engineered to contain exactly 1 oz of fine gold. They add a small amount of copper/silver so the total coin weight is higher than 1 oz while the fine content is still 1 oz.

Pricing basics you can use

1. Spot value is for pure gold.
   To estimate intrinsic value, multiply the gross weight by the karat fraction (K/24), then by spot price per gram or per kg.
2. Examples at a sample spot of $75,000 per kg
   • 100 g 24K: 0.1000 kg × $75,000 = $7,500
   • 100 g 23K: 0.1000 × (23/24) × $75,000 = $7,187.50
   • 100 g 22K: 0.1000 × (22/24) × $75,000 = $6,875.00
3. Premiums
   • Smaller pieces and premium brands cost more over spot.
   • Minted bars and carded presentation raise premiums.
   • Larger cast bars (250 g, 1 kg) usually have the lowest cost per gram.
4. Total cost matters
   Add shipping, insurance, assay, and any duties or taxes at destination.

Authenticity and verification

Use a layered approach:

• Paper trail: pro-forma and final invoice, assay card/report, certificate of origin (where applicable), insurance, airway bill, and for bars a serial-numbered bar list.
• Physical checks: weight, dimensions, finish, hallmark, and serial consistency. Gold is non-magnetic.
• Instrument tests: XRF for surface composition, eddy-current or ultrasound for internal consistency. Fire assay is definitive but destructive and used when needed.

Need independent testing or a buyer-nominated refinery check before settlement? We can coordinate via /lab-testing/ and /service/refining/.

Which karat should you buy?

• Long-term investment bars or coins: 24K is the simplest to price and move globally.
• Daily-wear jewelry with strong resale value: 22K is a practical balance of purity and toughness.
• High-purity jewelry or regional preference: 23K is a solid middle ground.

Tip: for investments, stick to standard units that quote easily: 1 oz coins, 100 g, 250 g, and 1 kg bars.

Storage and resale pointers

• Store larger holdings in a professional depository; keep a small reserve at home only if you have a real safe and insurance.
• Keep every document together. Buyers pay faster and better when your paperwork is clean.
• Big bars can require third-party verification to get the best bid. Plan for that step if you favor 1 kg bars.

How Komoa Mine helps

• 22K, 23K, and 24K options available with a 100 g minimum order.
• Insured export to approved destinations.
• Verification support at your nominated refinery where required.
• A clear, written documents pack for each shipment.

Ready to compare live options

• Shop: /shop/
• Testing: /lab-testing/
• Refining & documentation: /service/refining/
• Speak to sales: /contact-us/

The post What Makes 22K, 23K and 24K Gold Different? first appeared on Komoa Mine.

The short version

• Want the clean look and easy retail resale: choose minted bars (often in tamper-evident cards) up to 100 g or 250 g.
• Want the most metal for your money: choose cast bars (250 g, 500 g, 1 kg) with lower premiums per gram.
• Big orders: mix both. Keep some minted bars for flexibility and a core of cast 1 kg bars for efficiency.

Minted vs cast at a glance

How each is manufactured

Minted bars

1. Pure gold is cast into a slab, then rolled into a thin sheet.
2. Blanks are punched or laser-cut to exact dimensions and weight.
3. Each blank is struck or pressed to add the mint’s design and hallmark.
4. Bars are polished and sealed, often inside a tamper-evident assay card with a printed serial and purity.

Why it matters: tight tolerances and branded packaging make pricing and retail resale straightforward, especially for 1 g to 100 g.

Cast bars

1. Gold is melted and poured into a calibrated mold.
2. The bar cools, then is weighed, stamped with purity, weight and refiner mark, sometimes a serial.
3. Surface can show swirl patterns, bubbles or pour lines. That’s normal.

Why it matters: lower processing and finishing costs mean lower premiums. Cast bars are the standard for 250 g to 1 kg and institutional trades.

What buyers usually care about

1) Premiums and total cost

• Minted: you pay for precision finishing and packaging, so the premium is higher.
• Cast: minimal finishing lowers the premium. The jump from 100 g to 1 kg can save meaningful money per gram.

2) Liquidity and exit plan

• Minted: very easy to quote in the retail channel. Clean packaging helps.
• Cast: still liquid, but large bars (1 kg) sometimes require assay verification to achieve the best bid. Plan for that step.

3) Storage and handling

• Minted: carded bars stack well, but the plastic can scratch.
• Cast: tough and compact. Great for vaults and long holds.

How to verify authenticity

Use multiple checks. That is what professionals do.

Documents and provenance

• Pro forma invoice and final invoice
• Assay report or card
• Certificate of origin (where applicable)
• Serial-numbered bar list for larger bars
• Shipping and insurance papers

Physical checks

• Weight and dimensions: within the refiner’s tolerances.
• Visuals: hallmark, purity stamp, serial number font and alignment.
• Magnetism: gold is non-magnetic.
• Density: water displacement test can catch obvious fakes in small bars.

Instrument tests

• XRF (X-ray fluorescence) for surface composition.
• Eddy-current/sigma devices for through-bar conductivity.
• Ultrasound for internal voids or inserts.
• Fire assay is definitive but destructive and typically reserved for disputes or refining.

If you ever need third-party verification, we can coordinate testing through our Lab Testing and Refining partners, or arrange verification at your nominated facility.

Which should you buy?

Under ~10,000 USD

• Minted 1 oz or 100 g bars. Easy to trade and gift.
• If you stack monthly, minted bars keep units consistent.

~25,000 to 75,000 USD

• Core in 250 g cast for efficiency.
• Add a few minted 1 oz or 100 g for flexible resale.

75,000 USD and up

• 1 kg cast bars for lowest premium per gram.
• Keep a small set of minted bars for partial sales.

Tip: stick to standard sizes and recognized refiners. That keeps quotes tight and resale simple.

Care and storage

• Store in a bank box or professional depository for larger amounts.
• Keep all paperwork together. Serial lists and assay records support better pricing.
• For home storage of small bars, use a burglary-rated safe that is properly anchored, plus an insurance rider if available.

How Komoa Mine makes this easy

• 22K and 24K options with a 100 g minimum.
• Clear documentation for each shipment: invoice, assay, certificate of origin where applicable, insurance and transport papers.
• Insured export to approved destinations and help with verification at your nominated refinery when required.
• Advice on unit mix so you get both low premiums and smooth resale.

Ready to compare live options

• Shop bars: /shop/
• Arrange testing: /lab-testing/
• Discuss refining and paperwork: /service/refining/
• Talk to sales: /contact-us/

The post Minted vs Cast Bars: Understanding Your Bar Choices first appeared on Komoa Mine.

The short version

• Keep a small, accessible reserve at home for emergencies.
• Put the bulk in a professional depository with insurance, serial-numbered bar lists, and audit rights.
• Use a bank safe deposit box if you want low annual cost and local access, but know it isn’t insured by the bank and access is limited to branch hours.

Quick comparison (at a glance)

*Ranges vary by country, city, and provider. Always confirm in writing.

Option 1: Home safe (do it right or don’t do it)

What works

• Get a burglary-rated safe (look for TL-15/TL-30 or at least a robust B-rate body) and bolt it into concrete or a reinforced slab.
• Hide the safe behind structure, not drywall. Pair with monitored alarms, cameras, and window/door sensors.
• Use desiccant packs and tamper-evident bags for small coins/bars; keep a fire-resistant document sleeve for invoices and assay reports.

Pros

• Immediate access; full privacy; no annual storage fee.

Cons

• You assume theft and disaster risk. Some home insurers exclude or cap precious metals.
• If you ever need to sell quickly at scale, you still have to ship to a dealer or refinery.

Cost notes

• Quality safe: $1,000–$2,500 lasts decades.
• Insurance rider: ~0.5–2%/yr on declared value (if available).
• Alarm monitoring: $20–$50/month.

Good use case

• Keep 1–3 oz coins or a 100 g bar for emergencies while the bulk sits off-site.

Option 2: Bank safe deposit box

What works

• Choose a reputable branch with modern vault controls and strong ID procedures.
• Keep short, clear inventories (no values written on the box card). Store original documents and digital copies off-site.
• Insure contents yourself; the bank’s policy does not cover what’s inside.

Pros

• Low annual fee; decent physical security; convenient for small to medium holdings.

Cons

• Access is limited to branch hours; boxes can be subject to legal holds.
• No bank insurance on contents; separate coverage is your job.

Cost notes

• Typical rental: $50–$300+/yr by size and city.
• Insurance: via your insurer or a specialty provider.

Good use case

• Coin stacks and 100–250 g bars you don’t need daily, with documents kept tidy.

Option 3: Professional third-party depository

Think specialist vaults (Brink’s, Loomis, Malca-Amit, and similar). This is the institutional standard for larger holdings and international buyers.

Choose the right service

• Allocated & segregated: your exact bars/coins, stored apart, with serial-numbered bar list.
• Allocated (pooled location): your exact bars but stored in a shared area.
• Unallocated: a claim on metal, not specific bars—cheapest but not direct ownership.

What to check

• Insurance on your metal with policy details in writing.
• Audit rights (independent counts) and bar-list exports with serials, weight, and purity.
• Chain-of-custody docs for future resale and export.
• Multi-sig or dual-control release procedures.
• Ability to ship globally and assist with customs.

Pros

• Professional security, insured, auditable, resale-friendly.
• Simplifies international logistics and high-value transactions.

Cons

• Annual percentage fee; KYC/AML paperwork; vault may be in another city or country.

Cost notes

• Storage: about 0.4–1.0%/yr of value (minimums common).
• Intake/outtake handling fees; shipping/insurance quoted per move.

Good use case

• 1 kg bars or larger positions where you want clean paperwork and easy transfers.

Choosing your mix (simple frameworks)

Small buyer (up to ~$10,000)

• Home: a few 1 oz coins (emergency access)
• Bank box: rest of coins or a 100 g bar

Growing stack (~$25,000–$75,000)

• Bank box: 100–250 g bars + 1 oz coins
• Consider a starter depository account once you cross ~$50k

Larger holdings ($75,000+)

• Depository: 1 kg bars (core)
• Home: small coin float
• Bank box: documents + a few liquid coins

Paperwork: don’t skip this

Wherever you store, keep these together:

• Invoice / pro-forma / contract
• Assay report and certificate of origin
• Insurance certificate and shipping documents
• Bar list with serials (for bars)
  These speed up resale and support better pricing.

Insurance basics

• Home: ask your insurer about riders and safes. Non-disclosure can void claims.
• Bank box: bank doesn’t insure contents; get a separate policy.
• Depository: insist on written proof your metal is covered under the vault’s policy.

Security tips that matter

• Don’t overshare. No social posts about deliveries or storage.
• Compartmentalize. Don’t keep all holdings in one place.
• Plan exits. If you’ll sell 5–10% at a time, favor 1 oz coins/100 g bars; for block sales, 1 kg bars are efficient.
• Test on the way in. Use Lab Testing or our Refining partners so your records match the metal you store.

How Komoa Mine supports secure storage

• We help you size units (1 oz coins, 100 g, 250 g, 1 kg) to match your storage plan and exit strategy.
• We provide a clean document pack for insurance and future resale.
• We can coordinate insured export and, where needed, introduction to reputable vault providers.

Next steps

• Browse products: /shop/
• Arrange verification: /lab-testing/
• Refining & documentation: /service/refining/
• Speak to sales: /contact-us/

The post How to Store Gold Securely: Home Safes, Bank Vaults & Third-Party Depositories first appeared on Komoa Mine.

Expanded Insights for Institutional Investors

1. Purity & Investor Grade

• CRM’s bars consistently reach 99.99% purity — regarded as investment-grade and compliant with Good Delivery standards (Wikipedia).
• South American sources often require additional refining, potentially delaying delivery and increasing costs.

2. Ethical Sourcing & Source Visibility

• DRC’s Just Gold project (launched in 2017 by IMPACT) established the first verified chain-of-custody from artisanal mines to export (impacttransform.org).
• CRM employs Digital Product Passports via Society Artisanal and Minespider, offering blockchain-backed provenance tracking from mine to bar (miningweekly.com).
• This full traceability supports compliance with OECD, EU, and Dodd-Frank due diligence expectations—a critical value-add for ESG-conscious institutions.

3. Production Capacity & Strategic Growth

• Ghana remains a major contributor with gold exports forming a significant part of GDP (12.3%) and strong industrial activity in key regions (Wikipedia).
• The DRC, while still growing formal mining capacity, is rapidly moving toward better oversight and formalization through Just Gold and public-private initiatives (ipisresearch.be).
• South America’s production is diversifying, but access to formal export pathways and traceability remains uneven.

4. Geo-Diversification & Hedge

• Allocating across African and South American sources hedges against region-specific risks—currency exposure, regulatory changes, and political instability.
• African gold, particularly from ethical DRC operations, delivers tangible ESG advantages and reputation enhancement for investors.

Why CRM’s DRC Gold Should Be Your Strategic Allocation

• Ethical & transparent chain-of-custody – a differentiator in the institutional gold market.
• Top-tier bullion quality – meeting or exceeding global investment standards.
• Narrative power – investors can tell a stronger story of responsible investing and development impact.
• Global diversification – African gold complements traditional suppliers and mitigates regional risk exposure.

The post Why Diversify with African Gold? Comparing DRC Gold to Other Regional Sources first appeared on Komoa Mine.

The short version

• Ask for a written quote that lists product premium, shipping, insurance, and estimated local taxes or duties.
• Many hubs treat investment gold as VAT or GST exempt if it meets local criteria. Always confirm with your customs broker.
• Ship insured and tracked. Keep your invoice, assay docs, serial list, permits, insurance, and airway bill for customs and resale.

What taxes and fees can apply

• VAT or GST on bullion if not exempt in your jurisdiction
• Import duty where investment-gold exemptions do not apply
• Customs processing fees and security screening
• Brokerage for clearance services
• Storage or depository intake fees if you ship directly to a vault

Tip: investment gold definitions vary. Most rules care about purity, form, and whether the product is widely traded. Ask your broker for the current criteria before you buy.

What “investment gold” usually means

• Bars and wafers that meet purity thresholds (for example 995+ fine)
• Widely recognized coins that meet purity rules in your market
• Sold at a small premium over intrinsic value
• Not jewelry or collectibles

If you are unsure, send your intended SKU to your broker and copy our team. We will provide specs, serial formats, and assay documentation.

Factors that change your tax outcome

• Destination country and city
• Consignee type (individual, company, or depository)
• Correct HS code (bullion typically classified under headings used for monetary or investment gold)
• Documentation completeness (invoice, assay, serial list, permits, certificate of origin where applicable, insurance, airway bill)
• Incoterms (DAP vs DDP changes who pays and who acts as importer of record)
• Declared value and currency
• Where the gold lands (home, business, or depository)

How to minimize costs legally

• Use the correct HS code on the invoice and airway bill.
• Ship to a qualified depository when possible. Many hubs process investment gold faster and with clearer rules.
• Provide a certificate of origin where applicable.
• Keep product standard (1 oz coins, 100 g, 250 g, 1 kg bars) for simpler intake and resale.
• Pre-alert your broker with copies of all documents 24 to 48 hours before arrival.
• Avoid DDP to your home unless your broker insists. DAP to a depository is often cleaner.

Your document pack from Komoa Mine

You should receive:

• Invoice
• Assay card or assay report
• Serial-numbered bar list for cast bars
• Export permits and certificate of origin where applicable
• Insurance details
• Airway bill with tracking

Store digital copies. They speed customs and protect resale value.

Landed cost formula and quick examples

Landed cost = spot per kg + product premium + shipping + insurance + brokerage + taxes or duties (if any) + clearance fees

Examples below are illustrative. Replace the tax line with your broker’s current rate.

We will quote your route and show each line item so you can compare dealers fairly.

Step-by-step import plan

1. Quote – Request a written quote that lists premium, shipping, insurance, and any estimated local taxes or duties.
2. KYC – Complete onboarding for both sides.
3. Verification – Assay card or report and serials. Use Lab Testing if you want an independent check.
4. Payment – Bank transfer to the company account after you confirm beneficiary details.
5. Export – We prepare permits, insurance, certificate of origin where applicable, and the airway bill.
6. Pre-clearance – Send your broker the document pack before arrival.
7. Delivery – Insured, tracked shipment to your depository or address. Keep all paperwork for resale.

What to buy for clean intake and strong resale

• 1 oz coins for flexibility
• 100 g and 250 g bars for balance of cost and liquidity
• 1 kg bars if you hold long term and want the lowest cost per gram
  Browse live inventory in the Shop. If you need settlement or re-assay, see Refining.

Why buyers choose Komoa Mine

• Direct sourcing at scale in Kolwezi, DRC with a wide network of licensed miners
• One of the largest licensed mining and buying operations in Kolwezi by 2024–2025 volumes
• Clear quotes and insured export to approved hubs
• Independent verification through Lab Testing

FAQ

Is investment gold VAT-exempt in my country
Many hubs exempt qualified investment gold. Rules change. Ask your broker for today’s treatment and keep your assay docs and serial list.

Can I import gold as an individual
Usually yes with the right paperwork and a broker. Some buyers prefer consigning to a depository first.

What HS code should we use
Your broker will advise the correct heading for bullion in your jurisdiction. We align invoice details to match.

Who pays taxes and duties
Importer of record pays. With DAP terms you pay locally. With DDP your broker pre-collects. We will list terms on your quote.

How fast is clearance
Typical intake is 3 to 10 working days including export, courier time, and local clearance. Timing depends on route and testing.

The post Understanding Taxes and Duties When Importing Gold Into Your Country first appeared on Komoa Mine.

1) How do I know I’m paying a fair price?

Compare the total landed cost for the same product and size: spot + premium + shipping + insurance + any tax. Ask for a written quote that lists every line. For a quick refresher, read Spot vs Final Price.

2) Which size should I buy first?

Start with 1 oz coins or 100 g bars for flexibility and easy resale. If you plan to hold longer and want a lower cost per gram, consider 250 g or 1 kg bars. See current inventory in the Shop.

3) What’s the safest way to pay?

Bank transfer to the company account named on your invoice, after you confirm beneficiary details via a verified channel. We never request payment to a personal account.

4) How do I verify the gold before delivery?

• Minted bars / many coins: assay card in tamper-evident packaging
• Cast bars: assay report + serial-numbered bar list
  Need an extra layer? Book independent checks through Lab Testing.

5) How do you ship? Will it be insured?

We ship insured and tracked to approved destinations and share the airway bill. Typical windows: 3–10 working days depending on route and testing. If you need re-assay or settlement, see Refining.

6) What documents will I receive?

Invoice, assay card or report, serial list for cast bars, export permits and certificate of origin (where applicable), insurance details, and the airway bill. Keep digital copies; they speed customs and protect resale.

7) Is it legal to buy from the DRC or Uganda and import to my country?

Yes, when you work with a licensed exporter and follow destination rules. We prepare the document pack and ship insured. For routes and timelines, read How to Buy Gold from Congo Legally and the DRC & Uganda Guide.

8) Where should I store it?

Match storage to your horizon and size: home safe (small, quick access), bank box (mid-sized), or professional vault (larger bars). See options in How to Store Gold Securely.

9) How do I sell later?

Stick to liquid units (1 oz, 100 g, 250 g, 1 kg) and keep your document pack. Ask for today’s buyback spread on the same SKU before you buy.

10) Why are your quotes sometimes lower than other dealers?

We source at origin and operate at scale in Kolwezi, DRC. We are one of the largest licensed mining and buying operations in Kolwezi by 2024–2025 volumes. Aggregating production and scheduling exports reduces intermediaries and per-unit logistics, so we can quote sharper prices while keeping full documentation and insured shipping.

Quick buyer checklist

• Written quote with all fees
• Company bank account confirmed
• Assay card/report + serials (cast bars)
• Insured, tracked courier + airway bill
• Keep invoice + permits + insurance + CO (where applicable)

Ready to buy?

• Browse liquid units in the Shop.
• Want assurance? Book Lab Testing.
• Need settlement or re-assay? See Refining.
• Prefer a custom quote? Message us on Contact.

This page is general information, not investment or tax advice. Check local rules before you purchase.

The post Top 10 Questions Every First-Time Gold Buyer Asks – Answered first appeared on Komoa Mine.